A novel nucleoside rescue metabolic pathway may be responsible for therapeutic effect of orally administered cordycepin.

ABSTRACT: Although adenosine and its analogues have been assessed in the past as potential drug candidates due to the important role of adenosine in physiology, only little is known about their absorption following oral administration. In this work, we have studied the oral absorption and disposition pathways of cordycepin, an adenosine analogue. In vitro biopharmaceutical properties and in vivo oral absorption and disposition of cordycepin were assessed in rats. Despite the fact that numerous studies showed efficacy following oral dosing of cordycepin, we found that intact cordycepin was not absorbed following oral administration to rats. However, 3'-deoxyinosine, a metabolite of cordycepin previously considered to be inactive, was absorbed into the systemic blood circulation. Further investigation

SUBMITTER: Lee JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6823370 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature